Clathrate desalination plant preliminary research study. Water treatment technology program report No. 5 (Final)

This report presents preliminary research, design, and cost estimates for a clathrate freeze desalination method and system. A clathrate former is injected through the inner pipe of a submerged pipeline to a predetermined ocean depth at which the ocean temperture is less than the clathrate forming temperture. The agent combines with seawater within the annulus of the outer pipe to form a slurry of clathrate ice crystals and brine that is pumped to the surface. The clathrate forming agent may be recovered for reinjection or discarded. The melting of the clathrate ice and the return line of brine water to the ocean provide cold water sources that can be used to cool refrigerant in air conditioning systems in local buildings. The system depicted uses the hydrocarbon HCFC R141b (Dichloromonofluoroethane- CCl2FCH3) as the clathrate forming agent with lesser attention on HCFC R22 (Chlorodifluoromethane - CHClF2) and carbon dioxide (C02).